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Numerous studies have been conducted on ballast water species composition and diversity in other countries but not in the Philippines. Thus, this study aimed to provide baseline information on the plankton diversity in ballast water of the inter-island passenger-cargo vessel calling the ports of Iloilo-Bacolod-Manila Cagayan de Oro, Philippines and vice-versa. Specifically, this study aimed to determine the presence of phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity and species density of this plankton measured in cells/ml using the haemacytometer technique. Composite sampling was employed having one liter of ballast water used per ballast tank. A total number of 15 genera of phytoplankton (diatom) and one genus of zooplankton were recorded. Chroococcus, Nannochloris and Protococcus had the highest cells/ml while Ankistrodesmus, Micromonas and Synedra had the lowest cells/ml. The most common phytoplankton observed in ballast tanks were Nannochloris and Protococcus. Neocalanus (copepod) was present in all ballast tanks except in ballast tank 1 (fore-peak). The phytoplankton and zooplankton composition was found to be non-invasive in nature showing its ubiquity in the marine environment. This study provides an initial assessment or preliminary list of phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity from the ballast water of a passenger-cargo vessel calling the Philippine ports.

This practical book on the seaweeds of Panay, Philippines, acquaints and provides information to members of the academe and research institutions, policy makers, fishermen and businessmen regarding the taxonomy, distribution, ecology and economic importance of these resources. It consists of 4 major parts: (1) Introduction, which reviews the literature, habitat, distribution, morphological structure and reproduction; 2) Classification, which describes the classes to which the seaweeds generally belong; 3) Collection and preservation, which explains the procedure used in treatment of specimens; and, 4) Taxonomic list. A glossary is included, covering technical terms used. All species listed and described in this book are macrobenthic and were collected in Panay and Guimaras Islands.

To elucidate the population structure and pattern of morphological divergence of the indigenous Celebes goby Glossogobius celebius (Valenciennes, 1837), morphometric and morphomeristic characters of this species were compared among populations collected from five study sites in Southern Luzon, Philippines. Univariate analysis of variance confirmed significant differences among populations for 20 out of 23 allometrically-transformed metric characters (P<0.05), while nine meristic traits of five populations were comparatively homogeneous (P>0.05). Intrapopulation variability was very low (6.81-7.21%) for each location. Multivariate analysis of variance determined a very high significant group variability (P<0.05). Also, principal component analysis (PC1=36.60%; PC2=18.34%) and canonical variate analysis (CV1=44.59%; CV2=37.30%) identified the 2 super(nd) dorsal fin length, anal fin length, and the 2 super(nd) dorsal fin origin as the main significant contributors of population differentiation. Derived classification functions correctly classified an average of 68% individuals into their original groups. The canonical variate analysis plot exhibited high isolation of lacustrine populations (Lake Taal and Laguna de Bay) from riverine populations (Dampalit River, Alitaaw River and Pansipit River), with the latter having longer metric characters. Likewise, squared Euclidean distance similarity using metric data clearly produced two clusters representing both river and lake populations. This morphological divergence is suggested to be environmentally-induced (phenotypic plasticity) primarily by the differences in flow rate and temperature of the study sites.

Research on seaweeds focused on the carrageenan-producing Kappaphycus alvarezii and the agar-producing Gracilaria spp. Growth of K. alvarezii was better on horizontal lines than on vertical or cluster lines from bamboo rafts. All morphotypes (brown green, and red) grew faster at 50 cm than at 100 cm below the water surface, but the green morphotype showed better carrageenan properties. A socioeconomic survey of K. alvarezii farming in Panagatan Cays, Antique revealed that a farmer has an average annual production of 3 tons/ha (dry) with the fixed bottom and hanging longline methods.

Three species of Gracilaria in natural beds in lloilo showed monthly variations in biomass and agar quality; G. heteroclada had the highest biomass and gel strength. When this species was grown in tanks, growth and agar sulfate content were influenced by the interaction of light, salinity, and nutrients. Enriched and unenriched stocks of G. heteroclada differed in agar quality. When G. heteroclada was grown with the tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon in extensive ponds, the highest growth rate and production were obtained at the seaweed stocking density of 250 g/m2; this was in November when average water temperature, transparency, and salinity were low. Salinity tolerance varies among Gracilaria species.Oyster (Crassostrea iredalei) and mussel (Perna viridis) farming in Western Visayas were assessed in 1992 in terms of the culture methods, socioeconomics, marketing, and profitability. A more localized survey of oyster and mussel fanning was conducted through rapid rural appraisal in two coastal towns in 1993. A farmer-participatory study followed in 1994 for the culture of oysters, mussels, seaweeds, and rabbitfishes in a river mouth in Dumangas, lloilo. Green mussel, brown mussel (Modiolus metcalfei), and seaweeds transplanted to Dumangas from Capiz have reproduced. In another study, the green mussel was tested as a biological filter in tiger shrimp ponds; shrimps stocked with mussels grew better than those without.

A nationwide survey on the Placuna placenta fishery in 1993 showed 27 remaining 'kapis' beds; many others have been depleted due to excessive gathering, pollution, siltation, and trawling. Broodstocks are being developed to produce 'kapis' seed for grow-out and restocking. For the first time at AQD, adult donkey-ear abalone Haliotis asinina from the wild spawned naturally in laboratory tanks.

Juvenile abalones can be successfully grown on Gracilaria or abalone diet.